Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Who It Helps and What Recovery Is Like

With age, the skin of the eyelids stretches, the muscles weaken and fat can bulge forward. The result is heavy, hooded upper lids and bags beneath the eyes, which can make you look tired even when you are not.¹

Upper vs. lower eyelid surgery

Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin, and sometimes a small amount of fat and muscle, from the upper eyelid. The scar sits in the natural crease. In some cases, very heavy lids block the upper field of vision, and surgery may be considered a functional rather than cosmetic operation.³

Lower blepharoplasty treats bags under the eyes by removing or repositioning fat, and sometimes tightening skin. The incision is either just below the lash line or inside the lower lid.¹

Who it suits

You may be a good candidate if you have excess upper lid skin, or puffy lower lids caused by fat, are in good general health and do not smoke. It is not the right treatment for dark circles caused by pigmentation or thin skin, or for “crow’s feet” lines. See our guide to under-eye circles.

A heavy-looking upper lid is sometimes caused by a drooping brow rather than extra skin. A good surgeon will check for this, because lid surgery alone will not fix it.

The operation

Eyelid surgery is often done under local anaesthetic with sedation, and usually takes one to three hours. Most people go home the same day.²

Swelling peaks in the first two to three days. By two weeks, most people feel comfortable being seen in public.

Recovery

• First few days: swelling, bruising and tightness; cold compresses and keeping the head raised help.
• Around one week: stitches are removed if needed.
• 10–14 days: most people return to work and normal activities.²
• Weeks to months: residual swelling settles and scars fade.

Avoid strenuous exercise, swimming and eye make-up until your surgeon says it is safe. Contact lenses may need to wait about two weeks.

Risks

All surgery carries risk. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, dry or irritated eyes, difficulty closing the eyes fully, the lower lid pulling down, asymmetry, visible scarring and, very rarely, loss of vision.¹ Tell your surgeon if you have dry eye, thyroid eye disease or glaucoma.

Choosing a surgeon

Look for a surgeon on the specialist register for plastic surgery or oculoplastic (eyelid) surgery, ask how many procedures they do, and ask to see before-and-after photos of their own patients.